Pacific Coast

A vacation to the beach in Ecuador offers a truly distinct experience, compared to a visit to the highland world of the Ecuadorian Andes. The Costa or coastal region of Ecuador stretches from the western Andes down to the Pacific Ocean. This area consists of a number of different ecosystems, including tropical wet forests, dry forests, mangroves and beaches. There are two main ocean currents which affect the Ecuadorian Coast – the warm ‘El Niño’ current which comes from the north and the cold ‘Humboldt’ current which comes from the south. Between them they add to the great natural diversity that this area boasts. The Costa extends the length of Ecuador along the Pacific coast and offers rich agricultural lands, beautiful unspoiled beaches and relaxing resorts. As well as the fascinating people and ancient fishing cultures found along the coast of Ecuador, one of the added attractions for international visitors are the humpback whales, which pass through these waters during the months of June to September. Whale watching in Ecuador can be spectacular.